Ideas for a shorter antenna?

ckon said:
I almost ran into trouble, though. When I removed the S2000, the adapted thread piece was rusted into the base mount after just two months! I finally did get it out without damage to anything, but it was a close call. Failure would have meant replacing the antenna base, which probably wouldn't have been either cheap or easy, as most antenna lead wires are one piece with the mount and require plugging straight into the head unit.
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The antenna holder is around $40 on my '05 Tacoma. Mine was corroded along with the nut and the rubber covered base that sits above the fender. On the Tacoma, the antenna holder disconnects from the antenna wiring that goes towards the back radio at the A-pillar. At any rate, it's a PITA to replace because I couldn't pull all the push pins that held the fender liner in place out to get access to it.

Just an FYI for everyone else to keep an eye on the antenna from corrosion and rust.
 
Yeah I received my stubby yesterday. I tried the S2000 mod and seem to have it down. Its not the prettiest mod since I'm not much of a handy man but it'll do the trick. Reception wasn't any better than the stock antenna. I did notice some static in certain areas that I normally have reception.

My concern with the mod is that if where I loctite the two screws together and place a nut, if that were to break then the lower screw would essentially break off in the antenna base and I wouldn't be able to get it out. BC of this I haven't screwed the stubby in all the way. In case something were to go wrong I want to have some give with the screw to grab with pliers and unscrew.

All in all, I might just put the stock back on and wait until some official replacement is made available.
 
VT4runnin said:
My concern with the mod is that if where I loctite the two screws together and place a nut, if that were to break then the lower screw would essentially break off in the antenna base and I wouldn't be able to get it out. BC of this I haven't screwed the stubby in all the way. In case something were to go wrong I want to have some give with the screw to grab with pliers and unscrew.
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That's exactly how mine came apart when it rusted in. Fortunately I was able to soak it w/ penetrating oil and then get hold of it with a pair of pliers. No harm, no foul. I just put some grease in the base when I reassembled it to prevent it from happening again. I wonder if the grease in the threads will negatively affect reception? Hmmm..
 
Can someone determine what the thread size(s) for the stud that screws into the truck and the one that screws into the antenna?

Thanks
 
ckon said:
I wonder if the grease in the threads will negatively affect reception? Hmmm..
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That's a question I was thinking of while reading through this thread. I think I will try some dielectric grease when my stubby gets here. I've also been thinking of trying to make my own stud using some stainless steel and the Mangowalk stud as a pattern (just make the appropriate end longer). That might help with the rust as well.
 
Back to the S2K

Well, I decided to go back to my S2K antenna - not for any particular reason other than that it's worn a little smoother than the 3" and that gives a little better finish to match the chair tip and antenna base and, plus, I think I kinda prefer the slightly longer antenna. (It's nice to be retired and not have anything more important to do than decide which antenna I want on my truck!) :)

On a slightly more serious note, I've been getting a fair number of private messages re: the antenna adaptation. I really don't mind, but I'd like to respectfully suggest that more people would benefit from the answers to questions that are asked if they were asked on the forum instead of privately. If you think your question needs to be addressed privately then by all means ask it that way, but chances are someone else can also benefit if most of the questions remain public. Thanx much!
 
Found combination stud that will work on Mangowalk antenna

Guys, I went to Autozone yesterday and found a $6.95 antenna that had several different combination studs and one was the right size and long enough for Mangowalk 3" or 5" antenna and T4R female receiver. The antenna that came with the studs looked really cheap, but the selected stud was a perfect fit. The antenna was Metra/RoadWorks Replacement Antenna Rubber Mast #AW-RM1R Universal. I just tried it and the reception of local and near local stations seems to be as good as the original antenna. Distant stations not as good as the original. For me, based on where I live and where I go, it is perfect! If you get this, be sure to remove the the very thin plastic from around the threads of the stud before lubricating and screwing it in. Hope this helps!
 
Goatroper said:
Guys, I went to Autozone yesterday and found a $6.95 antenna that had several different combination studs and one was the right size and long enough for Mangowalk 3" or 5" antenna and T4R female receiver. The antenna that came with the studs looked really cheap, but the selected stud was a perfect fit. The antenna was Metra/RoadWorks Replacement Antenna Rubber Mast #AW-RM1R Universal. I just tried it and the reception of local and near local stations seems to be as good as the original antenna. Distant stations not as good as the original. For me, based on where I live and where I go, it is perfect! If you get this, be sure to remove the the very thin plastic from around the threads of the stud before lubricating and screwing it in. Hope this helps!
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That is awesome! I will try this out as soon as I get my antenna in the mail! Thanks for the tip!
 
I was wondering the same thing...i got one of those flexy short antennas from Advance and it has the adapter that came with it....i wonder if it will fit into the mangowalk antenna...If it is thats great! I really hate the flexy one but it was just a temp fix until i could find one more suitable.
 
Goatroper said:
Guys, I went to Autozone yesterday and found a $6.95 antenna that had several different combination studs and one was the right size and long enough for Mangowalk 3" or 5" antenna and T4R female receiver. The antenna that came with the studs looked really cheap, but the selected stud was a perfect fit. The antenna was Metra/RoadWorks Replacement Antenna Rubber Mast #AW-RM1R Universal. I just tried it and the reception of local and near local stations seems to be as good as the original antenna. Distant stations not as good as the original. For me, based on where I live and where I go, it is perfect! If you get this, be sure to remove the the very thin plastic from around the threads of the stud before lubricating and screwing it in. Hope this helps!
Click to expand...

Thanks! Based on your information, and the fact that we finally have a mod-free solution thanks to you, I just ordered a 5" MangoWalk Rubber Antenna for my truck. Hopefully it gets here by the time I pick up my new Runner.
 
I just received my Mangowalk antenna in the mail today. I can confirm that if you dont want to spend the time to make your own stud you can use the one that is supplied in the package with the rubber flexy antenna that is stocked at advance auto parts. Not sure if this is the same one that is at Auto Zone that others had commented about but the Advance one does screw right into the mangowalk. Looks really good in my opinion and just what i was looking for. BTW mine is the 3" stubby.
 
RowdyTundra07 said:
I just received my Mangowalk antenna in the mail today. I can confirm that if you dont want to spend the time to make your own stud you can use the one that is supplied in the package with the rubber flexy antenna that is stocked at advance auto parts. Not sure if this is the same one that is at Auto Zone that others had commented about but the Advance one does screw right into the mangowalk. Looks really good in my opinion and just what i was looking for. BTW mine is the 3" stubby.
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Pics?
 
ralphpolo88 said:
this might be another option...

Toyota FJ Cruiser*Short Stubby Antenna

i have no idea, so someone correct me if i'm completely wrong, but i was thinking since the fjc has a mast antenna too, perhaps you could order a shorter one for the fjc and put it on your 4runner. i was thinking this may work better since both the fjc and 4runner are similar
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I decided to try the FJ 8" stubby, thinking the thin antenna may be less noticeable than the thick S2000 or BMW Z4 stubbies. I'll post back the results once I get around to the install.
 
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